{{Behind the Scenes}}
{{Norfolk Naval Station}}
{{Breezy Point Park}}

Early morning… dew still on the grass, and a light fog still in the air. 

Callie was taking care of both children while Greg was helping the Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) people get set up. Some guys were setting up a makeshift stage, and running power for a little morale building thing out here. 

Food, Music, some friendly competition in a baseball game, and maybe some volleyball or frisbee golf. And, we can’t forget multiple chances to win tickets to go to the shows here around the Hampton Roads, Tidewater area. 

Of course all that would be coming here would be sailors and their families off the modest collection of Naval Bases in the area: The Shipyard over in Hamption Roads, the main Naval Station, the Air Base, the Joint base that housed the Amphibious Base, and a few other more discreet operations. 

The Joint base was shared with the Army, so some Soldiers might show up as well.

Even two small Marine bases in the area.

Greg was currently helping with the coolers and plastic tubs of food that would be cooked on a series of barbeque grills over the next few hours.

Both of them would eventually be taking turns serving up some of the  food and spending time talking with some of the troops when they arrived. 

Of course we know why Greg was asked to do this, and Callie’s connections help as well. 

As Greg was using a wrench to hook up propare to one of the grills, a voice louder than a lto of the other workers spoke up, “Well now, is that Callie Fortune? Admiral Fortune’s baby girl?”

Callie answered, “It is, but it’s Fortune-Salazar now. I’m all grown up. I assume you worked with my father in the past?” 

Greg stood up and saw a man wearing US Navy standard work out gear. The Gray Navy T-shirt with blue piping and blue shorts. The gray at the man’s temple showed his age, but he was in pretty good shape for someone his age. 

“Yes, back before we both took on our stars. Rick Butcher. Doubt you would remember me, you were knee high to a grasshopper when I last saw you. But you were on the list for access today, so I had to stop by.”

Greg reached down and opened the propane tank, and then used the built in ignitor to test the grill before turning it off once he had a flash of fire. He then grabbed a towel and was wiping his hand just in case when he walked over. 

Callie saw him coming and didn’t wave him off, “I do remember the name, of course. You’re out of…”

He broke in, “I work with the spooks off the main Naval Base, Intelligence gathering and the likes. Why we worked together. How is your father?”

Callie smiled at that and looked down, not many knew about his condition since he’d retired, “He’s doing well. Needs a hoveround or a wheelchair to get around now. He retired a ways back. My brother lives with him.”

Greg finally got there, and Callie diverted the conversation away from her father, “Admiral, this is my husband, Greg Salazar. The more famous of us two.”

Admiral Butcher reached out his hand, and Greg took it for the shake. 

Butcher smiled wide, “The former Marine Sergeant, now wrestler. Good to meet you. Although you aren’t looking very Marine like anymore.” He motioned to Greg’s hair, grown to a length of his shoulders and the tips dyed blue.. 

Greg just smiled and shook his head, “No. And every time I threaten to cut it, she tells me no.”

Callie blushed a little. 

The Admiral seemed to agree, “Well, they say Happy Wife, Happy Life. Glad to have you both here. You and your company have a lot of fans on base. How many tickets are we giving away today?”

Callie took the question, “We have 25 vouchers for up to 4, and 50 for up to two. So families can go as well as couples. Or groups of friends. Not wanting to seem like we’re alienating anyone.”

Admiral Slaughter  nods at that, “Good, good. Hopefully this can help your company as well. Things I hear are a bit heated after what happened in Greenville.” He drops that bit nonchalantly and then then looks around, “There was a third adult on the request for access to the base facilities. Where is he?” 

Greg gave Callie a look. He’d not been informed by anyone, including her, that he’d be working with anyone else. 

Callie tried to smile, and that gave some things away. She’d not wanted to tell him.

That’s when he saw the car pull in. It had the base permission pass hanging from the rear view mirror like their rental had. 

And then he saw Geoffrey Ian Childress get out of the car and start walking their way. 

He wasn’t in a suit for once. Golf Shorts and a CWF branded polo shirt. 

Greg sighed, and Callie gave him a “I’m sorry look.” 

As Ian stepped up, Admiral Slaughter extended his hand, “You must be Mr. Childress. Are you also prior service?”

Ian took his hand and shook it, “Not me. But I’m the son of a former Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. My whole life, pretty much, grew up near the Missile Test Base at Alamagordo, New Mexico. “

The Admiral smiled at that, “Well, we all thank your father for his service.”

Ian bowed his head at that then turned to give Callie a hug, as well as acknowledge both children, which he was the god father of… much to Greg’s dislike on that arrangement, but it was needed. 

Someone called out and the Admiral turned to wave, and then bowed out, “You’ll excuse me. But need to get other things ready. Thank you all for joining us. We will of course catch up a bit later.”

Greg goes to leave Ian as he’s doting over his children, but Ian speaks to him before he can get too far, “Sorry for a bit of subterfuge, Greg. But… if you can be so kind, when we get a chance. I must speak to you alone.”

Greg turned his head to him, “Won’t be alone. And why should I bother?” 

Ian sighs at that, “Callie of course can be with us. But it’s needed. I have information about your match up you’ll want to see.”

“It’s Tarrasque. Isn’t he supposed to be being protected by you anyway? Or stored away in your dungeon down underground?”

Ian smirked, “Not how it works. Yes, I saved Tarrasque for a bit. But he’s also a mortal man. He’s done no wrong. Not yet. But… this is more you’ll need to know. I’m the one who needs to tell it to you. So, either during today’s work or maybe Dinner tonight?”

Greg shook his head, “Why?”

“Because… you are one who can do what is needed. You’re also feeling guilty. I wish to alleviate your guilt.”

Greg turns around quickly and takes a couple of steps, pointing at the man who at one time was technically his boss outside of the CWF, “Guilt? What guilt do I need alleviated?”

“The guilt of giving us Jeremiah Vastrix, who has been the main cause of the Eternal Grove’s ascension to the top,” Ian commented.

“I’m not guilty of that. I completed my mission. I got rid of Von Krauss. What Jeremiah did after that is on him.”

Ian bowed his head at that, “True. But if you had lost… the Eternal Grove would not be where it is. Even if he’d still won, Drago would not have the pull he does.”

Greg shakes his head at that, “Drago appears to be nothing more than you are… a figure head. Taking credit for the work the others do. Yeah, he beat Dresden. Yeah he beat Apathy. But eventually he’ll fall.”

Ian smirked, “Let’s discuss later. We have a lot of sailors, soldiers and marines to feed. A bit of good will, make up a bit from what recently happened.”

Greg couldn’t help it, “Yeah, you guys need it don’t you. You and Valora could stop Vastrix at anytime, but you wait till it’s too late. Just lie you two could have gotten rid of Von Krauss as well.”

“Greg!” Callie chides him. 

Ian puts his hand up, “He’s not wrong, dearest niece. He’s not. We have to learn as well. We sat on it too long, expecting him to not fall as he did. Actually we wanted to let him feel like he was part of us. Part of the fed. 

But in the end, he has failed us. And what he’s about to find out will hurt him. But you are one I know I can rely upon for what is needed now that they showed their hand and they harmed the fed.”

Greg shakes his head, “You and I will talk. Later… If we have time.” Then he turns to head back to the grilling area. 

Callie sighs, “Sorry, Uncle Ian. He’s heard headed.”

Ian just smiled at her, “I know. He reminds me so much of myself at that age. Well a mix of me and Sean. And I’m sure everything else that’s happened recently is just more stress on it all. Especially with two babies now.”

Callie sighed again, “Yeah. And we can’t get answers out of anyone mortal on what’s actually going on with our situation. The Seifer Raziel has been silent as well.”

Ian grimaced, “Yes, it has been for me as well. But this is not involving that. I could try to get a meeting with those who could help you. But you just need to remember: There are some who might not want you to learn anything. And, no one gives anything away for free.”

Callie nodded at that, “Yeah. He’s stubborn, and doesn’t want to play anyone else’s game.”

Ian grinned a sly grin at that, “He doesn’t have to. He just needs to figure out his own game. He’s a powerful being with a weapon no one else has. He is wanted, needed for all the different sides.  Up to you two to decide if you’re leaders or followers.”

Callie smirked and looked towards her husband as he was starting to cut open boxes of beef patties and hot dogs. 

“I’ll remember that, Uncle Ian.” 

{{A Little Later}}

The tickets had all been claimed, and there wasn’t much food left. Games has been played, kids faces painted, and it was all winding down. 

Callie was breast feeding the littlest one, Amelia, a burping cloth covering the baby’s head and the bare breast. They were  rocking back and forth with the camping style rocker they’d brought along to do so. 

Greg had Daniel on his lap, as they both played something on a tablet together. 

Ian stepped over and motioned to an empty chair, “You mind?” 

Greg looked up and just grunted, “Nah.” 

As Ian sat, he let out a sigh, and then popped the top on a bottle of beer. He took a sip and then looked across to Greg, “I’ll get to the point… we fucked up. Jeremiah, he’s apparently in a relationship with Vespertine.”

“Apparently? She’s been acting the Asian Masseuse Stereotype around him. She’s got him by the balls, and people in the locker room know it.” 

Ian nods in agreement at that, “We never thought it would go this far. The incident at the end of Civil Warfare was not expected. It corssed a hard line. Valora has been busy dealing with Kara, I was blinded by other things. 

Now we have no choice, the Eternal Grove filled a power vacuum. But they crossed, no they pole vaulted over that line. We have another kidnapping, plus the riot in South Carolina.” 

Greg shrugged, “What does this have to do with me and Tarrasque?”

Ian sighs, “Everything. You held back against Kriegson. I don’t know why…. But you did. And he won. But Tarrasque is something else. I know this because for a good bit of time, I was protecting him in the Compound in Dallas.”

Greg now was locked on Ian, “What do you mean? I mean other than he’s a big fucker, strong… obviously a nephilm hybrid. You’d have no reason to get involved with him.”

Ian frowned, “He’s been modified. Actually we believe by Jeremiah’s father’s corporation. Tarrasque is connected to something called the Akashic Record.”

Greg looked like he was trying to figure out something the knew nothing about, and failing. 

Callie broke in, “The Akashic Record is a thing that supposedly would be like a hive mind of all knowledge in Human existence was recorded in. Historically and more. Magic formulas, everything. Tarrasque… he sounds dumb when he talks because his brain is literally trying to filter through basically all the knowledge of man from all time. 

If he focuses, he can access it directly and work it like having a search engine that can find anything.”

Greg rubbed the back of his neck, “Okay. My quick question… could he know what we are? How to find it all?”

Ian now sighed, “Well there is something worse in it all. You did see his match at Civil Warfare?” 

Greg shook his head, “Was getting ready for mine. Really, between him and Erikson, didn’t pay much attention. They're not exactly on my radar.”

He tossed his phone to Greg, who caught it with the hand not holding little Daniel’s tablet. He looked at the screen and it was a video paused. He tapped the play button. 

A scene from Wrestle:UK based on the banners on the ring. Tarrasque wrestling in the ring, with Vespertine at ringside in his corner.  Then it goes to his entrance at Civil Warfare, with Vespertine in tow.

“Oh… well… she gets around, huh? No surprise.”

Callie reaches out and takes the phone, “Vespertine? Is she going to come out with him? Is he with them now?”

Ian shrugs, “Not sure. But she’s been seen with him in other federations. After what happened in Greenville, I’ve put some ‘people’ on the members of the Eternal Grove as much as I can. Of course by people I mean… sneaky fae and Kenji Kushinaga. 

Valora is done with Kara, so hopefully I can utilize her as well.”

Greg narrows his eyes at him, “So now… NOW the Order gets involved?”

Ian sighs, “Yes. Now. Up until Greenville, they were only YOUR problems. You and the rest of the roster. Yes, Vespertine and Jeremiah have been… well conjugal. And we think that she is also now in a relationship of sorts with Tarrasque. 

She knows how to use her feminine whiles.

But before they affected things outside the ring and the roster, it wasn’t for us to do. And until they affected the crowd, it wasn’t for the Order to get involved with. But, I didn’t want you to be side swiped by this information. Vespertine is working with Tarrasque. I’m sure you can put 2 and 2 together on that.”

“She’s either gotten her hooks into him to join the Eternal Grove, or she’s working on that.”

Ian nodded. 

“So what do you need me for? Why bother?”

Ian leaned forward, taking another swig from his bottle, “Tarrasque isn’t going to be easy. You held back on Kreigson. You have been holding back… you need to be ready to do what it is you trained for all those years. 

Tarrasque is unique in this world. No one else is like him. I couldn’t hold him against his will. Not how I do things. But if Vespertine or Drago find out about his connection to the Akashic Records they’ll have a tool we’re not ready for them to have yet. 

The Black Rain: We had to submit some of that stuff to the state and federal authorities for testing. Through my own government contacts, we submitted it to a few more under the table type labs, and Sariel was even interested in taking some of it to someone. 

I’m not sure the Rain did what they wanted it to properly. Then again, maybe it did. But when people cross lines into becoming Comic Book Villains in the real public, I need to get involved. I’m sworn to protect both the mortal realm from the supernatural and the supernatural from the mortals. I’m the shield and the barricade. 

But, in the case of Tarrasque: You don’t need to hold back. You don’t need to protect anything. He’s got the strength of a monster. I need you, and I’ll need Bad Company. Rayvenn maybe not so much. But I’ll need Kara and Kronin. 

And I’m offering up things you all need. You know I’m good for my word.”

Greg frowned, “I’m not sure you’ll get them. They have their own issues. Kara especially.”

Ian smiled, “You’re about to yell at me. But in the end, you’re also going to realize why I do things. I can offer help to things including Vampire issues.” 

Ian crooked an eyebrow at Greg when he said that. 

Greg made a fist, but with Daniel in his lap, he didn’t move, “How?”

“I run a clandestine supernatural fueled investigative and police organization. My Left Hand before Valora, long ago was a Vampire. She was staked by the Paragon you killed. For that you don’t know but I owe you. He was long thought untouchable. 

You did what I could not for fear of politics. I owe you. And I’m asking you to step up for another boon in my name.  And if we can get the Reinhardts to help, I will owe them as well. But I’m not asking you as the head of the Order. 

But as G. Ian Childress as well. Why I came out here to speak to you and didn’t use official channels. Think about it. 

But know this. Tarrasque is more than you’ve faced before. Don’t hold back. Give him what you need. If you don’t, then the Grove will earn another member, and become even more of a threat. Don’t let that happen.

{{The Promo}}

It’s a chair in a hotel somewhere in Norfolk, Virginia. 

Greg comes in and sits in the chair. 

“Norfolk, Virginia… Warzone. The two people who have been here from the beginning or almost the beginning. Tarrasque was on the first CWF show ever in South America. I made my on camera debut two shows later. Albeit in a mask. 

It’s been 5 seasons. And we finally get to have a match with each other.”

He stops for a moment, “You aren’t wanting this, Tarrasque. 

Yeah, I could make fun of your wrestling name. The D&D monster that’s unstoppable. Unkillable, A threat that destroys cities, towns, if not whole kingdoms. 

I could sell you short on everything. 

You have me by a few inches, but about 100 lbs. You’re powerful, strong… You're just like Kriegson. Who I just lost to. 

Except you’re not just like him. You’re special… 

You’re also following Vespertine. She’s guiding you around like you have a nose ring and a leash. You don’t need her. 

But she and her boys sure need you. They’re riding on top right now… Kriegson won, Drago won. Nash has a chance to go for the new Skirmish belt. Vespertine might be looking at the Elite title. 

Where would that leave you? 

Just another enforcer for the mob boss. But where do the enforcers usually end up when shit falls apart? They’re always the first ones to be stabbed in the back, or tossed under the bus. “

He cracks his wrist, and then leans towards the camera. 

“I’ve not heard of you attending the meetings yet. I’ve not heard anyone of the Grove mention you being one of their new hounds or whatever. 

You’re always being used by someone else. 

Stand up for yourself. You don’t need Vespertine who might also be banging Jeremiah Vastrix and maybe even Samael Drago. You’ve been used by people like Von Krauss, and Warhammer Corporation far too long. 

But first… you and I have tot meet in the ring. We have to fight. 

I have a hell of a lot of respect for you. So many titles. So successful. But always on a leash to someone else. Even Marcus had you on a leash in some ways. 

But for all that respect, just know this. As long as you have one of them at your side… you’re a target. 

You are willingly associating with those who harmed our fans. Harmed the fucking crowd in Greenville. Who endangered innocent people. Who couldn’t care less about anyone but themselves. 

So get ready for a fucking fight. And Vespertine, get involved. I fucking dare you. I owe you all quite a bit out there… you all scored well at Civil Warfare. We all sat back and watched as you all took over. 

Yes, I’ll say it, you did. Eternal Grove took over. They took that power vacuum from the Von Krausses getting kicked, and took over. They did what the nKo never could. 

You did it. 

But you see, Karma is a bitch when the debt comes due. What you did in Greenville crossed so many lines. I had already called you all out. Viktor beat me. But does that mean it’s a done deal? No. I’d already called you out, and that’s just a setback. I need to get up , dust myself off and go for it again and again and again. 

Tarrasque is now. Then the rest of you. If I have to do it by myself I will. 

But after Greenville? I doubt I will. When you crossed that line, you put targets on your backs. And I’ll go ahead and tell you a secret. The Grove may have brought the attention of outside entities to themselves. 

You created this black rain, and you used it. But you seem to have not asked yourselves why should you? Why do what you did? I’m sure Father Nathan will join me. My brothers and sisters at Arms? Oh, Drago, you don’t want Kara’s attention right now. 

And well, Apathy can’t be happy. 

O’Rourke might be a shit head, but he’s a dangerous shithead. And I worked with a lot of shit heads just like him when I was active duty. I can work with them. I don’t have to like them.

You crossed a line… and there is no going back. 

You all know that I follow what is known as the bell to bell rule. But there are caveats to that rule. 

You all declared war. I answer your call. Anything goes now. 

All’s fair in love and war, right?”

He gets up and walks out of the camera frame. 

{{End}}